Longing for the perfect mate to help you record, organize and share your genealogy findings? Don’t make a blind date—our beginner’s guide to genealogy software explains how to find the right program for you.

It happens to every family historian eventually, regardless of research experience or computer skill: You reach the point where you don’t want to go it alone. You yearn for a partner to accompany you through genealogy’s twists and turns—a companion to support you in your research-tracking endeavors and make your pedigree pursuits more fulfilling.

In other words, your perfect genealogy software mate.

Trying to find the right program for you is a lot like dating: Your ideal match depends on what qualities are most important to you, and whose interface you find most attractive. It might even take a few flings before you finally find true love. So think of this beginner’s guide to genealogy software as a matchmaker of sorts: We’ll help you identify what you want from a long-term relationship and pick a program with which you share real chemistry.

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